Who We Are
Our Contribution
America’s National Parks™ supports educational, interpretive, and preservation efforts at nearly 170 national parks. Since 1947, we have provided more than $180 million in aid through our park stores, interpretive services, and custom products.
Our aid to parks enables the purchase of important park resources like historic artifacts, living-history demonstration costumes, park signage, exhibits, facility renovations, interpretive programs, staff training, and much more. We also provide funding for archaeological, historical, and cultural research programs, which enhance and extend the visitor experience.
100% of the proceeds from your purchase at our stores support the National Park Service. Learn more about how our aid benefits park visitors, and how it helps to protect our parks for future generations.
Our Sharing Philosophy
America’s National Parks™ serves a network of parks that share resources for the greater good of the National Park Service and its visitors. Since our founding, parks that generate higher levels of revenue have generously shared resources with smaller parks. They have also helped support Service–wide initiatives.
This sharing philosophy continues to be the bedrock of our organization: We view our park partners as one big family, and we believe visitors should have access to the very best educational products and services, in order to deliver memorable experiences at every park they visit
Our History
Building a Legacy of Support: 1947 – 2016
In May, 1947, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, at a meeting of national park historians, our company was born. Founding rangers Herbert E. Kahler and Roy E. Appleman established the Eastern National Park & Monument Association, and on May 6, 1948, the association was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In 1949, our first two stores opened, first at what is today known as Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, then at Colonial National Historical Park. In 1950, new stores were added at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Petersburg National Battlefield, and Vicksburg National Military Park. We grew steadily over the following decades, building partnerships at over 170 national parks and other public lands.
Becoming America’s National Parks™: 2016 – 2019
As the nation celebrated the National Park Service’s centennial in 2016, our organization embarked upon a strategic plan to further strengthen our support – and visitors’ connections to – America’s national parks. After extensive research, reflection, and planning, we identified an opportunity to strengthen our brand and clarify the connection between our organization and the national parks we support.
On July 1, 2019, our stores at more than 150 National Park Service sites opened their doors to visitors under a new name: America’s National Parks™.
Under the America’s National Parks™ brand, it’s clear to our partners and millions of annual visitors that we are the official educational retailer at the parks we serve, and that every purchase directly supports the mission of that park.
Our Story Continues: 2019 – Present
Today, America’s National Parks™ continues to partner with nearly 170 national parks across 33 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. 100% of proceeds from your purchase go to support education and preservation efforts of the National Park Service.
Funds at Work
Our sharing philosophy in action! See how our funds support educational and preservation programs at national parks across America.
